The portion that may comprise 1/3 to 1/2 the entire volume of a tree is which part?

• A. Leaves
• B. Bark
• C. Roots
• D. Wood

Answer: (C)

The root system is the part that can make up a large share of a tree’s total volume. The roots extend far below the soil and include both thick structural roots and a vast network of fine roots, all occupying substantial space underground. When you consider the entire tree—above-ground wood plus the underground root mass—the roots can account for roughly one-third to one-half of the total volume. Leaves occupy only a small physical volume, bark is a relatively thin outer layer, and wood represents the main above-ground bulk, but the total volume including roots is dominated by the root system.